Outside Eyam, a village in England, there is a boulder which is known as the 'boundary stone'.
During the bubonic plague of 1665-66, the inhabitants of Eyam quarantined themselves to prevent the spread of plague in their village from spreading to neighbouring villages.
The plague had come to them via a flea-infected cloth sent from London to a local merchant.
When the plague was over, one quarter of the 1,000 inhabitants were dead.
However, the plague did not spread beyond the village.
Eyam isolating itself came about through the efforts of the local priest, William Mompesson.
He realized that going to other places would bring the plague with them and infect others. He convinced them to stay home and also to prevent others coming to them.
A few tried to leave but most accepted their plight and made a pact with God to remain. Food from outside was left at the boundary stone as well as money from the village to pay for it.
The novel “Year of Wonder,” by Geraldine Brooks is based on the event
This story is not only inspiring but it demonstrates how viruses are transmitted — from person to person — and it shows us the social distancing can contain outbreaks.
For the villagers there was a cost: they daily faced death and many succumbed.
Hopefully, self-isolation for us will be a protection from the virus, keeping each other safe. The cost will be some deprivation and/or emotional and mental distress.
For others whose circumstances limit their self-isolation, there is greater risk, especially those on the front lines in health care.
Along the way a wisdom saying or prayer may be helpful, such as the Serenity Prayer: give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Everett Hobbs
C.B.S.
